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Original poster

GCHQ Christmas Card Puzzle

47 replies

noblegiraffe · 23/12/2023 11:00

If anyone fancies having a go at the GCHQ Christmas card puzzle it's here https://www.gchq.gov.uk/files/2023%20GCHQ%20Christmas%20Challenge.pdf

I was staring at the stupid gift tag one for hours! Google helped there.

I've completed the puzzle but while I know the answer to Q5 part 2 I don't know why it's the answer so if anyone has any subtle hints they would be gratefully received.

https://www.gchq.gov.uk/files/2023%20GCHQ%20Christmas%20Challenge.pdf

OP posts:
Wherethewildthymeblows · 23/12/2023 11:04

I'm in awe that you can solve any of it. I looked at it a few days ago and it seemed impossible to me, just as much so now that I look at it again. Can you give any clues to any of it? The clock hands - is that semophore? I feel so stupid yet I have a 140 ish IQ, a degree, etc etc.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 23/12/2023 11:12

The times on the clocks correspond to letters of the alphabet. AM and PM are relevant!

OP posts:
Wherethewildthymeblows · 23/12/2023 11:14

OK, I've worked out 1 and 2. Not feeling completely stupid any more. I can group a bit of 3 but not enough to answer it. Dh and I were trying 4 but he is the great mathematical brain and says there is not enough info to answer it (maybe not such a great mathematical brain?!)

At that point, I have to leave it and go write a shopping list.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Games
Wherethewildthymeblows · 23/12/2023 11:16

Oh crossed posts with you. Yes, I realised that the minute I saw there were ams and pms given. Gosh, it's just as well the country is not relying on me for intelligence.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 23/12/2023 11:26

You don't actually need to work out what all the letters are to solve number 4.

OP posts:
MolkosTeenageAngst · 23/12/2023 11:27

I’ve got 2 and 7 and some of 5. Haven’t got a clue where to even start with the others, had a few ideas with the clocks but none have resulted in a word!

MadeOfAllWork · 23/12/2023 11:28

Right, I’ve opened that up to have a look and I’m now shamelessly place marking.

Paradise404 · 23/12/2023 11:29

Omg this is fabu!
Gonna print it out for guests to enjoy on christmas day

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 23/12/2023 11:38

They'll need pens and paper too!

OP posts:
Paradise404 · 23/12/2023 11:42

noblegiraffe · 23/12/2023 11:38

They'll need pens and paper too!

Frantically scrambling looking for pens now.
So far I've come with 2 nice pens (that I use to write Christmas Cards - would be a waste to use for this), 2 pencil stubs and a couple of highlighters.
Maybe hubby has a stash somewhere

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 23/12/2023 11:58

Any kids' pencil cases you can raid?

Benefit of being a teacher is a house full of pens, so long as you don't mind writing in red.

OP posts:
PeppermintParty · 23/12/2023 13:55

If you worked out number 5 part 4, do the same for part 2 as you did for part 4, but reverse the letters.

TimeIhadaNightCapwithSanta · 23/12/2023 15:59

I've solved the final message. Only worked out 1, 2 (but i wasnt convinced) 4, 5a and d, and 7. I think I got one group for 3 but I'm not sure.

(Actually, have worked out final answer for 3 and am sure my group is correct. No idea for 6 at all.)

Flev · 23/12/2023 16:02

My husband and I cracked this together - the benefit of combining one very logical thinker and one very lateral thinker!

parietal · 23/12/2023 17:05

We got all of them except no5 which we were utterly mystified by. Any clues?

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 23/12/2023 17:09

PeppermintParty · 23/12/2023 13:55

If you worked out number 5 part 4, do the same for part 2 as you did for part 4, but reverse the letters.

Amazing, thank you!

OP posts:
BIossomtoes · 23/12/2023 17:12

Placemarking for the link.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 23/12/2023 17:13

parietal · 23/12/2023 17:05

We got all of them except no5 which we were utterly mystified by. Any clues?

5 part 4 is completely obvious when you look at it.

If you've got the alphabet written out that would help for 5 part 3.

OP posts:
Ballsy · 23/12/2023 17:23

I got 1 - 5 fairly easily and quickly, but I can’t work out how to solve 6 and 7. I even know what the answer to 6 is, but that’s not helping me figure out how to reach it

PeppermintParty · 23/12/2023 17:29

Ballsy · 23/12/2023 17:23

I got 1 - 5 fairly easily and quickly, but I can’t work out how to solve 6 and 7. I even know what the answer to 6 is, but that’s not helping me figure out how to reach it

The ones and zeroes written next to the music are relevant.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 23/12/2023 17:40

You don't need to be able to read music! It's a bit like Q1.

OP posts:
Paradise404 · 23/12/2023 19:09

noblegiraffe · 23/12/2023 11:58

Any kids' pencil cases you can raid?

Benefit of being a teacher is a house full of pens, so long as you don't mind writing in red.

No kids (yet!) - but our neighbours do, have just been handed a pack of pencils.
This is going to be fun.... admittedly most people will probably be too drunk to figure anything out even their own names

PollyannaWhittier · 23/12/2023 19:26

I finally finished it last night after chipping away on and off for several days ! I took a flying leap for question 5, I figured out part 1 and 4 and from them guessed the word. I still don't know how I was meant to get there.
My facepalm moment was 'how do I know which question corresponds to which bit for the final solution ?' ... Half an hour later ... 'OHHH !!!'
I don't think they'll want me as a spy Grin

Flev · 23/12/2023 19:50

@Ballsy For number 6, figuring out what the 1 and 0 means is the key - and that bit is nothing to do with music.

For number 7, it is a codebreak, I started with the word that has a 4 in front of it, as there aren't many words that could be.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 23/12/2023 19:52

how do I know which question corresponds to which bit for the final solution ?

Yes, looking at every bit of the card except the bit that was relevant!

OP posts: